For Glory’s sake…
By Gitara
@Gita17112016 (3611)
Trinidad And Tobago
January 24, 2018 4:08am CST
Are you as freaked as me that you are getting old and time is passing you by?
Today I was possessed by the thought that my life has just been a flash and I still haven’t done anything to leave my mark on the world. It feels like leaves turning yellow and falling silently on to the ground.
Some people marry, have children, own land and house ad complete a career or pursue an education and feel a great sense of achievement. Not me. Minus the first two, I did the rest. Still want more…
I remember once as a child, having thought of writing my name on the school walls just to come back and see it later and say to myself and others ‘I was here’. Then I thought how silly. If you can’t accomplish something for people to remember you by then what was the point of being here? Writing your name was a coward way of carving a chunk of destiny for yourself. Or so I thought. That’s for people who can’t ‘do’ but still want to make an impact.
But now I am in that category. How to win glory? I could die spectacularly or die and wait to be discovered after some millions of years later. Or communicate with an alien. Or I could find the cure for some disease. Or solve the formula for teleportation in the future. Or build a time machine. Or invent something the world didn’t know it needed and but now cannot do without…
Ever had thoughts like these? Like you are destine for greatness but the opportunity and funds are just not there?
Any ideas how I can leave a mark in the world? Or have you left your mark yet?
Credited: Picture taken from public domain.
11 people like this
11 responses
@WorDazza (15826)
• Manchester, England
24 Jan 18
I think the other responses have summed things up very nicely. We leave a mark every time we come into contact with someone so you have probably left many marks in the hearts and minds of many more people than you think you have.
I have probably achieved a lot both from a personal and career perspective but ultimately, when viewed as part of the grand scheme of things, the world would probably have ticked along quite nicely without any of my contributions. I think the best I can hope for when I die is that people who knew me say "yeah, he was a pretty good bloke". I'd be happy with that!!
3 people like this
@Gita17112016 (3611)
• Trinidad And Tobago
24 Jan 18
Touching people's life and being touched by them in return is surely rewarding... I acknowledge that
But your second suspicion weigh more heavily with me...what if the world would have ticked along nicely even without our contribution? See? That's the bothersome aspect of the leaf turning yellow and falling off the tree.
1 person likes this
@WorDazza (15826)
• Manchester, England
25 Jan 18
@Gita17112016 Unfortunately i think that we all have to accept that in the grand scheme of things we are pretty insignificant. It's best not to worry about these things and just make sure your life is as rewarding as possible.
1 person likes this
@WorDazza (15826)
• Manchester, England
30 Jan 18
@Gita17112016 Well I believe that once we die that's it. The end! I expect it to be pretty much the same as it was for me before I was born!! An empty nothingness!! But I'm OK with that.
I would never use that as an excuse for bad behaviour or for not trying to live a good life though.
While most of us will never achieve anything significant in the grand scheme of things (i.e. world changing) it shouldn't stop us from trying to just generally be nice people, doing our best for our families and friends and maybe trying to help change other's lives for the better where we can.
1 person likes this
@AmbiePam (120630)
• United States
24 Jan 18
I believe in some of our simplest moments we leave an indelible mark. There are people whose name I do not know, yet recall vividly, being kind or saying something that was imprinted on my soul.
I am almost 37, and have not been married or had children. I try hard not to think about that, and focus on doing my best to leave the world just a little better place than when I left it.
3 people like this
@Gita17112016 (3611)
• Trinidad And Tobago
24 Jan 18
As a personal response that is a great outlook. For many years I strive for personal growth but then even that was not enough. Sometimes I feel like I had dip my hand in a bucket of water and when I pulled it out, the hole that remained was the impact I made. The youths today need so much help...they come to the table with almost nothing...and the sense that time is running out is getting stronger...
1 person likes this
@Gita17112016 (3611)
• Trinidad And Tobago
24 Jan 18
@FayeHazel Yes, it is an admirable position to hold.
1 person likes this
@dpk262006 (58679)
• Delhi, India
24 Jan 18
I think if we are good and nice human being and respect others, we will leave a mark on the world, when we leave this world.
2 people like this
@Gita17112016 (3611)
• Trinidad And Tobago
24 Jan 18
Not devaluing the virtues of being a 'good' human being but still why can't I be creative too? Touching life indirectly, uplifting humanity, giving a better quality of life? Although I think there is too much technology already and we have lost touch with simple living. You know when I leave this world, if I didn't write my name on the wall, what was my contribution? Eh? That's the perplexing question.
1 person likes this
@dpk262006 (58679)
• Delhi, India
25 Jan 18
@Gita17112016 I agree with you that we should be creative and we should do some social service to uplift down trodden.
1 person likes this
@Gita17112016 (3611)
• Trinidad And Tobago
16 Feb 18
Yes, early retirement. Why?
1 person likes this
@shaggin (74988)
• United States
16 Feb 18
Well then even if you don’t think you have done anything to leave a mark in this world you have. You have left a mark in many students hearts!
@Gita17112016 (3611)
• Trinidad And Tobago
24 Jan 18
Hi Diannne. As a teacher that aspect has been very rewarding but I want something a bit creative or inventive. that's where my energies are pushing me now.
1 person likes this
@FayeHazel (40230)
• United States
24 Jan 18
Ah I feel for you because I feel the same way, myself.
I haven't really "done" anything. I don't really know yet what I want to do.
However maybe it is comfort to think you probably inspire a lot more people than you think you do
2 people like this
@FayeHazel (40230)
• United States
25 Jan 18
@Gita17112016 Well... nothing wrong with writing your name on the walls --- but... I'm sure if you keep thinking on it you will find something that speaks to you - a thing to do
2 people like this
@Gita17112016 (3611)
• Trinidad And Tobago
25 Jan 18
@FayeHazel That why I throw out this idea...many heads are better than one!
1 person likes this
@Gita17112016 (3611)
• Trinidad And Tobago
24 Jan 18
Inspiring people is great for the social ills and for helping to build character and defining who you are...but that is incidental to the creativity I want to display. I want am achievement that is tangible ...you know, for glory! A big last minute splash that says, hey! wow! that is something. Touching life differently, you know? Or maybe I'll end up taking up a pen and writing my name on the walls 
1 person likes this
@Fishmomma (11658)
• United States
26 Jan 18
I agree with other posters that we all make a mark on others around us. Years ago I taught students and seeing how others went on to great jobs and happy families helped me know how important my skills are to other people.
1 person likes this
@Gita17112016 (3611)
• Trinidad And Tobago
26 Jan 18
As a teacher this must have been very rewarding. You left your mark by teaching intrinsic values. That's a great way to leave your mark.
@BelleStarr (61463)
• United States
28 Jan 18
I have left my mark, I have 3 children, 10 grandchildren, and 3 great grandchildren they are my biggest accomplishment.
@Letranknight2015 (52665)
• Philippines
26 Jan 18
I remember when I was a kid I wanted to be a painter. But I went into the call center. Then they were moments that I thought I could make it through youtube by making a good video from my game of the sims. But that popularity didn't last. Finally, I got hooked into online earning, starting with mylot. I got hooked into the word of other online earning.
But nothing beats mylot. Right now I prefer to live a simple life.
@JudyEv (381925)
• Rockingham, Australia
26 Jan 18
Most of those who leave a mark of some sort get forgotten within a few generations. I haven't left a mark and don't expect to but that's okay. I'm not sure what you can do to ensure you're never forgotten. For most of us it isn't possible.
